SEMO is one of the many universities across the country to offer students an opportunity to study abroad in different places around the world. There are different options, from semester exchanges to short-term trips and summer internships, all designed to help students enrich their academic experience.
Study abroad program coordinator Aven Pacha said what sets SEMO’s study abroad program apart from other universities is their personalized approach to working with students.
“We provide a lot of personalized support and attention to our students, and we are with host institutions and partner institutions that do the same,” Pacha said. “We work very closely with our host providers, we know them well, so we know that they are going to take care of our students. It all comes from a very personalized approach.”
SEMO offers a range of study abroad opportunities to help fit in with different student needs. There are a few options, the first being short-term programs that can last one to 12 weeks. They also offer semester or year-long exchanges, which count for 12-15 credit hours. These are open to students of all majors.
For students considering applying, they are encouraged to consider factors including whether or not the program will fit their academic requirements, health needs, financial needs and language abilities. They also should consider the location, school size and program length.
Pacha said that the biggest challenge a lot of students face is that the process of application and getting ready to leave can be overwhelming.
“I think sometimes it can just feel overwhelming, the amount of things they need to do and starting, not knowing how to do it to begin with. I would say that’s also the reason study abroad helps you grow as a person, is navigating these different programs. You have to kind of become more independent and make decisions and advocate for yourself and let us know what you need help with,” Pacha said.
But for students feeling overwhelmed or confused about the process, Pacha said the study abroad office is available to support them through this new experience.
“We are here for the students. I hope that they know that they can reach out to our office and get advice whenever they need it, even if they’re not sure what the question is, if they’re not sure what they need to do next, they can always come to use and we can help them through those preparations,” Pacha said.
To be eligible to participate in the study abroad program, students must hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5, be in good standing with the university and have completed at least two semesters of college-level classes. Students may need pre-approval from their courses to make sure the credits they earn during their time abroad will count towards their degree progress.
SEMO’s website outlines five steps for students who may be interested in studying abroad to complete.
The process starts with setting goals for how the time abroad will go, including academic, personal and career goals. Students should also meet with their advisors to see how the program will fit into their degree plan. To find more information about locations and programs, students can explore the SEMO Study Abroad Portal.
All students who apply are required to attend a Study Abroad 101 session, which is offered in person and online during the semester. After choosing a program that fits their academic needs, students can apply through the Study Abroad Portal, and for semester or year-long programs, students must provide two academic references.
Application deadlines are Sept. 15 for the spring programs, and Feb. 15 for the fall and summer programs.
Once accepted, students will complete a checklist before leaving that includes information on their passport and visa, travel insurance, course enrollment and credit transfers.
SEMO offers study abroad programs in more than 25 countries, with destinations including Japan, France, Spain, South Korea and the United Kingdom. Most programs do not require any knowledge of foreign languages, and many courses are taught in English. Housing varies by location and program, including hotels, dorms, apartments and more.
For students needing financial support to fund their studies abroad, support is available through SEMO study abroad scholarships, the President’s Scholarship stipend, regular financial aid and other resources.
Pacha said that for students who receive scholarships, the funds will be able to be applied towards their time abroad.
“If students receive any of their regular scholarships, they will still be able to apply those towards study abroad. In addition to those scholarships that students usually receive for their on-campus classes, we also offer a number of endowed scholarship awards that are just for students studying abroad,” Pacha said.
Some of the endowed scholarships for studying abroad include the Rotary Club of Cape Girardeau Scholarship, Tom and Betty Fulton Scholarship and the Henry Sessoms Endowed Scholarship.
Pacha said that going forward, the program hopes to include more faculty-led programs.
“A big push that we’re hoping to do is kind of expand our faculty-led program options. We are hoping to get more faculty-led programs from different departments at SEMO,” Pacha said. “I always recommend our faculty-led options first, because with those programs, you’re with a group of SEMO students, it’s a SEMO course you’re enrolled in, so the credit process is much simpler,” Pacha said.
For students looking to get more information on SEMO’s study abroad program, visit SEMO’s website here.
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